Red-light cameras coming to Sarasota

City Commission approves installing devices at a minimum of 10 intersections.

J. DAVID MCSWANE

By the end of the year, Sarasota drivers will be under the watchful eye of red light enforcement cameras that gather evidence for $158 citations.

City officials say the cameras will reduce a rising number of injuries and fatalities from car crashes within city limits.

The program will also mean a new revenue stream for Sarasota, which faces a budget shortfall of roughly $6 million next year.

The city is following the lead of others, including nearby Bradenton, where cameras posted in 2009 average 10 tickets day. Bradenton's program has been called a success by city officials who voted last month to increase the number of red light cameras from four to seven.

Sarasota will only need to average about 2 tickets per day to break even if it installs at least 10 cameras. The cameras will most likely be placed at the city's 11 most dangerous intersections — including Sarasota's most dangerous at Fruitville and Beneva roads, where there were more than 95 crashes between January 2009 and October 2010.

Violators will receive a $158 fine in the mail for each offense, but points will not be added to driver's license. Drivers who are cited will also be directed to a website where they can see photographic evidence and protest the ticket.

No ticket will be issued without a traffic officer first signing off, said Sarasota Police Capt. Paul Sutton.

City officials say the program is not a money grab, but rather a cheap and easy way to improve public safety.

“We want to improve safety, but let's be honest, we don't have money,” said Sutton, who is pushing for cameras at the city's 11 most dangerous intersections to start. The contract approved by City Commissioners calls for as many as 35 cameras eventually.

The cameras will not cost taxpayers a dime, and the city stands to make at least $650,000 in the first year, based on estimates for 10 cameras throughout the city.

“That's a very conservative estimate,” Sutton said. “It will bring in more.”

A 30-day campaign to stop red light runners prior to the installation of the cameras will also deter violations, Sutton said. Over time, the number of tickets — and the revenue — is expected to taper.

“Initially there are going to be a lot of violations,” Sutton said. “And those will drop.”

The City Commission voted unanimously to contract with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions, which will charge the city a flat fee of about $4,800 per month per camera approach.

To seal the ATS deal, Sarasota officials employed a controversial purchasing process known as “piggybacking” to avoid a competitive bid. Instead, the city will use an existing contract the vendor has with Fort Lauderdale.

“We examined proposals from across the state,” said City Purchasing Manager Mary Tucker, who said no local companies could provide the technology needed to monitor intersections citywide.

The camera sites being considered include the following intersections: